Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 16-09-2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Managing Director, Bokaro Steel Plant & Ors.
  • Respondent: MD. Sultan Ahmad.
  • Origin: Special Leave Petition (Civil) Diary No. 45539/2026 arising from the impugned final judgment and order dated 30-06-2026 in LPA No. 65/2023 passed by the High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi.
  • Background: The petitioners had been seeking a compassionate appointment for more than 14 years. The High Court had imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on the petitioners.
  • Relief Sought: Condonation of delay in refiling/curing defects (IA No. 276498/2026) and exemption from filing O.T. (IA No. 276505/2026).

Observations & Reasoning

  • The Court noted that the petitioners struggled for over 14 years to obtain the compassionate appointment, leading to the cost imposed by the High Court.
  • While acknowledging that part of the delay was attributable to the petitioners, the Court deemed the original penalty excessive.
  • Consequently, the Court reduced the cost from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10,000.
  • The Court also condoned the delay in filing the applications.

Final Outcome

1. Delay condoned.

2. Cost reduced to Rs 10,000 (substituting the earlier Rs 50,000 awarded by the High Court).

3. The impugned order must be complied with expeditiously, within six weeks from the date of this order.

4. Any pending applications, if any, shall stand disposed of.

Topics: Legal Order, Penalty Reduction, Compassionate Appointment